Mkulu Kei Horse Trails

A fun filled horsey riding holiday for children aged between 8 -16 years learning to care and ride horses and ponies in a safe environment on well trained patient equines. A project to teach equine skills to children during the school holidays or larger groups on school outings during the school term.

Pony camps for children at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails are a home away from home equine experience. An opportunity for your child to have an outdoor, hands-on equestrian experience and learn how to ride and get comfortable on and around a pony & horse. A fun horsey holiday.

On camp the kids are taught on ponies and horses that are completely safe and a pleasure to ride, bombproof. As the child become comfortable in the saddle they are encouraged to try the next pace. Riding lessons take place in an arena or school but the kids also get the experience of an outride, riding on the beach, in the sea, waves and lagoon. They are taught all the different paces, how to trot and canter in a fun environment on patient trained horses. As the children become more competent with their equine skills we introduce riding games and jumping, On the ground we teach how to care for a horse and pony, basic stable management, grooming, feeding, tacking up and basic medical treatments. The children will also get the chance for an out ride to the cliffs and riding on the beach, a chance to play in the waves with a horse.

This equine adventure holiday offers a youth and children's riding camp experience of learning to ride and how to control a horse correctly. Based on British pony club safety rules, theory lesson and tests and on our join up and communicating with horse's experience.

Situated at Mkulu Kei horse stud, Morgan Bay, Eastern Cape not far from East London, but past Cintsa. Horses we have at Mkulu Kei are used to a wide range of riders and we are used to teaching beginners and more experienced riders daily. A memorable pony camp along the Eastern Cape Wild Coast of South Africa. For your "learn to ride" kid's equine vacation destination or children's pony camps.

We have always opened our home to a limited number of our young riding clients over the school holidays. Now we are ready to take groups of up to 40 children at a time. So book your bed!

"A real ride to many places at any paces"

There are so many kids' pony camps and learn to ride horse holidays and vacations, why choose us? Read on and find out.

As a qualified tour guide and qualified riding instructor I want to share my knowledge in a fun, "eat, sleep" horse environment. Our instruction is based on "British Pony club" principles - Safety, Safety, Safety.

Ever thought you would like to canter your horse along a beach, or play in the waves?

What is your child doing during the next holiday? Are your children bored during the school holidays? Are you looking to get them out the shopping malls and away from the TV? Send them to us. Here is an opportunity for them to learn to ride, become comfortable near and on top of a pony or horse. Eat, sleep, and learn in an informal family environment. They might even be lucky enough to see a foal being born, and they certainly will get the chance to handle the foals and young horses. Are you looking for a class outing during term? Make a Booking Now

We can accommodate larger groups and can accommodate class ride out of season. If you are a teacher or school and looking for a class outing, contact us, we can accommodate the whole class in an equestrian camp experience. Please e-mail your requirements and we will assist you. For an equestrian school camp, leadership camp, leaders camp, or for team building we can now also offer abseiling, paintball, and Xhosa cultural experiences to make this a unique experience.

A combination of equine riding, having fun and learning about horses at a stud farm in a family environment Our pony camp offers a relaxed instruction in a safe, disciplined riding establishment. Learning to ride a horse is an excellent way to boost your child's confidence. We aim to teach not just how to ride, but also how to communicate with horses, start to understand equus and horse behaviors enabling your child to get more out of their riding. The instruction is not really aimed at children already going to shows but more an introduction level or fun horsey holiday. The children who can ride will have the opportunity to show their friends how to ride on more forward moving ponies and become our pony camp leaders. No child will be allowed to ride without an instructor watching.

All horses and ponies are trained for a wide range of riding abilities and the horses and ponies are tame, patient and schoolmasters. The pony camp riding experience is aimed at the children on a home away from home experience. For children between the ages of 10 years and 16 years from all walks of life, from town or farming communities, for those who can and can't ride. We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails would like to pass on our skills and love for ponies and horses on to children. Arrive on Monday with little or no equestrian experience; depart on Sunday afternoon feeling confident in the saddle and on the ground around horses.

So few boys learn to ride in a formal environment, they normally get their first experience at someone's farm with little or no instruction, often on horses that are not really suitable. Unfortunately this experience usually puts them off riding for life.

Give your sons a gift of understanding horses and the basics of riding, At some stage of their lives they will have the opportunity to ride and will be scared. When people come on holiday to Morgan Bay I try to encourage the whole family to ride together. It means so much to the daughters to ride with their dads. A day does not go past when I do not hear " I don't do horses" or "I only ride on something with brakes and a clutch". Once the basics are learnt they will never forget them and will be grateful that they have the equestrian skills to be comfortable with horses. There are so many equestrian sports that the men could be doing and yet the male attendance is poor. Endurance, polo, polo cross, gymkhana, and mounted games are all sports that are well attended by men that do ride, you do not just need to attend shows. If nothing else just being able to ride on holiday comfortably in itself makes learning to ride well worth it.

I cannot imagine life without my horses, I watch my own children interrelate with their ponies, they have grown up learning to care, love, and respect horses which I believe encourages them to be better people, better equipped to understand the needs of others. I have watched my riding client's faces as they take their first ride and conquer the idea of controlling both their fears on an animal so huge. The faces say it all, I have witnessed clients riding ability and confidence improve and I can understand just how much fun they are having.

There is a sense of freedom power and confidence when working with horses, We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails would like to pass on our love for ponies and horses to children, and want to imprint the "British Pony Club" safety rules on your child making riding safe. Learn how to tack up, groom, feed, how to care for a pony and basic medical treatment. Learn the parts of the horse, saddle and bridle and how the bit works and why some bits are kinder than others, colours of horses and the different breeds of horses. But more than that we would like the children to learn the language of horses. Horses in a herd situation communicate using body language, horses in a solitary stable condition know the language, but not many use it. By us explaining to the children how they can interact with their own ponies a new bond and respect between them occurs. We can help you approach and work with the horses on a different level.

We believe this programme is fun and gives the children a valuable new skill and a chance for youth and teenagers to work with horses of all ages and will improve their riding skills in a safe, fun environment on a working equine stud farm.

The children will get a chance of an outride on the beach and play in the waves and, for those who can, a canter along the beach. I am very strict; my rules are not to be challenged. I am responsible not only for you and the horses on this ride but to future rides on the Morgan Bay beach. On the beach ride, we ride one behind the other in Indian file, no racing. Horses are competitive by nature and if given the chance would love to race. On the Morgan Bay beach it never happens so the horses don't ask.

We believe that by giving the children a chance to learn to ride, and be responsible not just for them but for an animal and those around them, they will develop confidence and become leaders. Situated on the Mkulu Kei Horse Trail stud farm, Bay View, a beautiful farm consisting of rolling hills, dams, streams and the home to 70 +- horses ranging from newborn foals through to stallions. There is always the possibility of the children witnessing the birth of a foal. The children are given the opportunity to run, play, and climb trees, in a safe environment.

Accommodation:

Is a bedroom in our home with attached ablutions and consisting of big steel bunk beds with comfortable high-density mattresses. We have a large braai area with open pit fireplace, pizza oven, and social area. This area is used for dining, lessons and socializing, music, horse videos and telling really good ghost stories and eating braaied marshmallows. However in he future we will be running our pony camps at Lalapanzi where we have two dormitories and other great facilities.

Meals are good healthy home cooking and although we try to accommodate to a point, we can't prepare a different meal just because Ann does not eat peas and Johnny won't eat carrots. Please inform us of your dietary requirements. If your child has allergies make sure I am aware and that they have the medications they require. Rates on request. Includes at least one guide/instructor, horse and equipment, accommodation, meals, and refreshments. But excludes transport and transfer fees to Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, a shuttle can be arranged.

* All parents or guardians are required to sign a standard indemnity form on arrival, children that are to be collected at the airport, must bring their signed indemnity form.

* Any child who continues to break our Pony camp rules will be sent home with no refund.

* We reserve the right to judge the attitude of and to dismount any horse rider, who in the guide's opinion is unwilling to control their horse, or who in any way poses a threat to the safety of themselves, other riders or horses. Holding your mount back and galloping into the back of a ride will not be tolerated.

* I must have medical aid details and am aware of any medical problems.

It is our experience that clients that have not had formal training are inclined to play up their riding ability while those that really can ride often say they have only had a few rides. We need to allocate you the correct horse for you to enjoy your ride. If you are nervous or had a bad experience please say so. And never be embarrassed if you take a tumble/fall that's how we learn. Very seldom do you actually hurt yourself, the fear of falling is way worse. Bake a chocolate cake and celebrate! You can't call yourself a rider until you have taken 7 fall/tumbles, 36 for a good rider. We still fall off! Relax and don't put your hands out to try to break your fall. Get back on!

Assessing your riding ability

Use the following criteria to judge your child's riding level. (It is important that you are honest, as this affects your child's safety and the other riders within the group.)

* Can't ride: Has never been on a horse, or as been on a horse a few times (years ago) and has some kind of idea of how to stay on.

* Novice: Ridden a few times recently, but still not rising at the trot.

* Intermediate: Rides regularly, can rise at the trot, canter, gallop, and can handle a horse in most situations. These riders are divided into prefer a 'calm' or a 'hot' horse.

* Experienced: Has been riding for many years has had formal training, has his or her own horse/pony, and can handle any horse in any situation. These riders are divided into prefer a 'calm' or a 'hot' horse.

It is extremely important that you are honest about your REAL riding ability. The most novice rider sets the pace for safety reasons both for the rider and the horse.

A horse or pony will be allocated to your child based on your description of their riding level! They will experience different ponies and horses during their stay, as each personality will teach them something different.

Having the ability to stay on the horse by hanging onto his mouth and bouncing on his kidneys is not an experienced rider!

We keep a variety of horses and ponies. Friesians, Boerperd, Nooitgedachts, part breeds and Arabs to compliment your preferences and riding ability. The size of our horses and ponies vary from 12 to 17 hands and they are fit and in good condition. We use the mares more for the arena work, using the voice controlled gelding on the beach out rides. They all have even temperaments and are forward moving.

We ride in our own designed saddle manufactured here at Mkulu Kei, a cross between an English style and stock saddle, all horses and ponies use snaffles and our tack is kept in excellent condition. We have designed a saddle for new riders. Slightly higher in front so you balance on the saddle, not the horse's mouth. Higher at the back to help you sit in the saddle correctly so your weight is in the correct place in the saddle making it more comfortable for the horses back and we have shortened the flap on the tiny saddles so that our small riders are kicking the horse and not the saddle. To best match the correct horse for your riding ability and to give you the best riding holiday eco-adventure, we spend time describing each horse's personality before allocating your horse.

Please, we cannot be responsible for valuable items, each child must be responsible for their own cell phone but we discourage your child bringing large amounts of cash, Ipods etc. They will get a chance to go to the shop but we ask you to limit the sweets. 8 giggling, bouncing kids on a sugar high every night becomes too much. We do have a "midnight feast" on the last night, so save the sweets for then. You could be here on your coastal horse riding vacation and pony camp. Those on our riding working gap volunteering program can really make an impact on the pony camp children while having lots of fun.

This unique safari horse trail company in South Africa offers a total riding holiday experience. A memorable horseback eco-adventure along the, Eastern Cape, Wild Coast, South Africa. Beach riding, swimming with horses in the lagoon and playing with your horse in the waves. For your African horse trekking eco adventure, equestrian volunteer working gap vacation destination or children's pony camps.

The sound of the horse's hoofs on the sand or splash of the water will live with you forever.

We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged would like to say a big Thank you to all our guests for sending us their riding photos, these are your memories. Thank You. Cheryl